This project provides skilled professionals with the opportunity to engage with schools with the objective of building demand for Asia literacy among Australian secondary school students.

On this page, you will learn more about the project, its objectives and the range of benefits that can be realised with your participation and support:

• Why Asia Literacy?
• The Project
• The Commitment
• Role of Business
• Role of an Ambassador
• Benefits for Business
• How can I get involved?
  

Why Asia Literacy?

In a global economy increasingly dominated by the Asian region and characterised by diminishing barriers to cross-country trade, commerce and communication, Australia requires a skilled workforce able to work effectively with our Asian neighbours and service Asian-Australian communities domestically. The base of this workforce will be drawn from students currently in Australian primary and secondary schools.

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The Project

This project enables the establishment of meaningful, long-term partnerships between skilled professionals (Ambassadors) and secondary schools across Australia. Ambassadors volunteer their time to assist school communities to better understand the diverse career and life opportunities available to employees who are knowledgeable about Asia and have the skills and dispositions needed to effectively engage with the people and cultures of Asia, off-shore and domestically.

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The Commitment

Ideally, partnering Ambassadors and schools will participate in at least three face-to-face interactions in the school, workplace or other contexts with students, school leaders, teachers, career practitioners and school councils over a six-to-eight month period. That said, the number of interactions and when they occur will depend very much on the availability and goals of the Ambassador and school. Interactions can take many forms - for example, an interaction could be a student visit to the Ambassador's workplace, a presentation to a student group, dialogue with leadership teams, career practitioners, teachers and school councils, etc. Project participants have flexibility to establish a partnership that best suits the specific interests, expertise and availability of the Ambassador and the needs of the school community.

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Role of Business

The business sector plays a crucial role in supporting Asia literacy in schools. Businesses participating in the project are asked to:

• promote the project within their organisation;
• identify staff with the appropriate skills and dispositions to become Asia Literacy Ambassadors;
• support collaboration with the school community through the provision of time to a minimum of three face-to-face interactions over a period of six-to-eight months (approximately 6-10 hours over this period); and
• encourage regular reporting to the wider organisation on the progress of the project.

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Role of an Ambassador

The Ambassador's role is to share their own story and experience of their engagement with Asia and/ or Asian-Australian communities, to inspire young people and help them see the career and life opportunities that come with being Asia literate. To achieve this, Ambassadors:

• work with their school to develop and submit a Partnership Plan to the AEF;
• participate in, ideally, at least three face-to-face interactions with at least one member of the school community in the school, workplace or other contexts over a six-to-eight month period;
• ensure they have the proper clearances to work in the school and/or with students;
• submit an Ambassador Profile to the AEF to feature on the project website; and
• promote the project to colleagues to encourage further engagement between Australian schools and the business community.

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Benefits for Business

This project enables Ambassadors and their organisations to:

• share expertise, work and life experiences with Australian school communities;
• mentor students and influence their career prospects and aspirations;
• increase the number of direct links between the business and local school communities;
• contribute to an Australian workforce that can maximise the positive work and life opportunities that the Asian region and Asian-Australian communities offer;
• raise the profile of their business/career path with young Australians;
• connect with and identify young talent; and
• network with members of the Business Alliance for Asia Literacy.

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How can I get involved?

To register your interest in participating in the project, please complete an online Expression of Interest form. It only takes 5 minutes!

On this form, you will be prompted to explain why you would like to be involved in the project and, if desired, elect a particular Key School Contact and/or school with which you would like to be partnered.

If you do not elect a Key School Contact or school, the AEF will use the information provided in your completed Expression of Interest form to match you to a school based on your location, Asian languages/experience, existing connections with the Asian region and/or Asia-Australian communities, and aspirations for the project.

Please note that you must have your manager's/ business leader's support for your participation in this project prior to submitting an Expression of Interest.

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